Devonport Events Wild Ride

The last few years in Devonport have seen a boom in local events including both the Devonport Triathlon and Run Devonport attracting elite and recreational competitors alike.

Local businesses play a large part in ensuring the success of these professionally organised community events, which represent the local Devonport spirit.

Events such as these offer something very different to other events around the country and here’s a new one now emerging to add to the portfolio.

The Pure Tasmania Cycle Challenge (PTCC) is not only one of Australia’s newest grand tours but also one of the most challenging and scenic. Launched in 2012, the second PTCC will hit Tasmanian roads on 2 March 2013. The event offers riders two course options, either the longer ride from Devonport Surf Life Saving Club to Strahan via Cradle Mountain, or starting at Cradle Mountain Chateau and riding to Strahan.

With a catch cry of ‘Discover it, experience it, live it, ride it’, both course options traverse some of Tasmania’s most beautiful landscapes. The courses takes participants through some iconic areas between Devonport, Cradle Mountain and Strahan highlighting natural attributes that promote the north-west and western regions as attractive places in which to visit, live and work.

There is no better way to experience a true taste of Tasmania’s pure, untamed wilderness and stunning country side than by cycling.

The PTCC is not only an exciting event to be a part of but also value for money, with each entry including great support from fully-stocked, locally supplied feed stations, rolling bike services for issues you might encounter, and medical and hydration support. Your race kit includes a jersey and knicks, a cap, a finishing gift, a post-event massage and a phone and money pouch. All this for less than $200!

Rider feedback following the inaugural 2012 event was incredibly positive.

“As a participant of the [PTCC] yesterday I would like to congratulate you on running such a fantastic event. I have participated in a number of mass rides in the past and found yesterday as good as any of them.” – Gavin Johnstone

“Thank you for organizing such a great ride, being new to the sport I thought the ride was brilliant, very tough but so well supported by all the volunteers (especially going up those hills). Next year I would encourage any of my mainland friends to come down and enjoy the ride, scenery and good old fashioned hospitality.” - Gerald Matthews.

Events in Devonport over the past three years events have attracted several hundred participating visitors each year, who stay on average three to four days and visit local attractions in addition to their specific activities. This kind of quick taste of an area often inspires visitors to return and spend longer exploring the region and taking in more attractions and experiences. Local hospitality businesses such as café’s, accommodation, transport services and event suppliers all benefit, enabling the smaller regional areas to provide a more intimate and personalised hospitality .

The Pure Tasmania Cycle Challenge has received support from the Devonport City Council, Kentish Council, and West Coast Council, and is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania. These events support the State Government’s Economic Development plan’s ‘liveability’ and regional economic development aims for the state by helping to make the events possible and by supporting the local businesses that play a role.